Large shear tolerant fastening system

ABSTRACT

A fastening system for substantially inhibiting slippage between first and second members interconnected thereby is disclosed. The fastening system is particularly useful in instances where at least one of the first and second members is subject to shear loading. The fastening system may include a fastener having a shank portion which is receivable within first and second bores of the first and second members, respectively, and a nose portion of a nut member for engaging a proximal segment of the shank portion of the fastener proximate the second member to substantially inhibit tilting of the fastener relative to the first and/or second member(s).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to fasteners, and, inparticular, to nut and bolt-type fastening systems for interconnectingone object to another object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of fastening together first and second members, a nut andbolt fastening system is typically utilized. More specifically, in orderto fasten a first member to a second member, a threaded shank portion ofa bolt is typically inserted through bores in the first and secondmembers and threadedly engaged with a nut.

In order to address situations in which the first and/or second memberwill be subjected to shear loads, various devices and techniques havebeen developed to relieve the resulting shear stress on the fasteningsystem, and specifically, the bolt. Such developments have alsoconcentrated upon inhibiting slippage of the first member relative tothe second member in instances where the first and/or second member issubject to large shear loads. For example, one such system for relievingshear stress on the fastening system and for inhibiting slippage of thefirst member relative to the second member involves inserting a numberof press-fit pins into first and second members. Such press-fit pinssubstantially inhibit slippage of the first member relative to thesecond member. However, replacement of, for example, the first member istime consuming and impractical as such press-fit pins are difficult toremove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea fastening system capable of interconnecting one object to anotherobject.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fasteningsystem capable of resisting and tolerating large shear loads.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fasteningsystem which inhibits slippage of one member relative to another memberinterconnected thereto by the fastening system.

According to one aspect of the invention, a fastening system forinterconnecting and substantially inhibiting slippage between first andsecond members is provided. In particular, the present invention isdirected to a fastening system which is capable of limiting the tilt ordeflection of the fastener relative to the first and/or second membersinterconnected by the fastener and a nut member, especially in instanceswhere one of the first and second members is subjected to shear loading.The fastening system of the present invention may include a fastenerhaving a shank portion which is receivable within first and second boresof the first and second members, respectively, and a nut member forengaging the shank portion of the fastener proximate the second member.More specifically, for purposes of inhibiting tilting of the fastenerrelative to the first and/or second members, the nut member may includea distal, threaded portion for threadedly engaging a distal segment ofthe fastener shank portion, and a proximal, nose portion for abuttinglyengaging a proximal segment of the fastener shank portion.

In order to achieve such abutting or frictional (e.g., tight) engagementbetween the inner wall of the nose portion and the proximal segment ofthe fastener shank portion, at least a proximal portion of the innerwall of the nose portion is threadless (e.g, smooth), as is at least theproximal segment of the fastener shank portion. In this regard, theinner diameter of the proximal part of the nose portion, as defined bythe inner wall of the nose portion, is less than about 0.002 inchesgreater than the diameter of the proximal segment of the shank portion.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the nose portion ispositionable within the second bore such that an outer wall of the noseportion is in abutting relation to the second bore wall which definesthe second bore of the second member. In this regard, the nose portionenhances the resistance by the nut member (e.g., reactive forces on thefastener shank portion by the nut member) to shear loading of one of thefirst and second members. In addition, the length of abutting engagementbetween the proximal segment of the fastener shank portion and theproximal part of the nose portion may be selected to further enhance theeffect of the nose portion against deflection or tilting of the fastenerrelative to the first and/or second members.

In another aspect, the present invention for interconnecting andsubstantially inhibiting slippage between the first and second membermay be used in combination with a fastening system for accommodatingmisalignments between the first and second bores of the first and secondmembers, respectively, and/or a locking apparatus for substantiallyinhibiting displacement (e.g., rotational, axial) of the fastenerrelative to the first and/or second members interconnectable thereby. Inone embodiment, under circumstances where the first and second bores ofthe first and second members, respectively, are misaligned relative toeach other, first and second washers may be positionable within thefirst bore and about the shank portion of the fastener, proximal thenose portion of the nut member, to accommodate such a misalignment. Inthis regard, an inner wall of the first washer may be slidably engagablewith the fastener shank portion and an outer wall of the second washermay be slidably engagable with the bore wall of one of the first boreand a tubular insert positionable within the first bore.

In another embodiment, the fastening system for interconnecting andsubstantially inhibiting slippage between the first and second membersdue to shear loading of one of the first and second members may be usedin combination with a locking apparatus, which limits displacement(e.g., rotation, axial) of the fastener relative to the first and/orsecond members. The locking apparatus, positionable proximal the nutmember and, specifically, the nose portion, is capable of substantiallyinhibiting or limiting displacement of the fastener relative to thefirst member as the locking apparatus interconnects the fastener and thefirst member. In this regard, the locking apparatus may include alocking member which is insertable within the first bore of the firstmember, the locking member having a elastically deformable upper portion(e.g., snap ring) and a leg extending distally from and normal to theelastically deformable upper portion. For purposes of engaging thefastener and first member, the elastically deformable upper portion isselectively receivable within an annular groove or channel located in aproximal portion of the first bore of the first member, and a distalportion of the leg is engagable to a proximal portion (e.g., head) ofthe fastener in a male-female fashion. The locking member may alsoinclude a tab which extends radially outwardly relative to a centerportion of the elastically deformable upper portion. Such a tab may beselectively engagable with at least one slot associated with the annulargroove. In an alternative embodiment, the annular groove and slotassociated therewith may be located in a tubular insert (e.g., spool)which is positionable within the first bore of the first member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a fastening system embodying features ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2B are perspective views of the first and second washers of thefastening system illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3B are cross-sectional views of the first and second washersillustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, respectively.

FIG. 4A is a section view of the fastening system illustrated in FIG. 1,showing the fastening system for accommodating misalignments prior toengagement of the fastener and the nut member via the radiallymisaligned first and second bores of the first and second members.

FIG. 4B is a section view of the fastening system illustrated in FIG. 1,showing the fastener engaging the nut member of the fastening system foraccommodating misalignments.

FIG. 4C is a section view of the fastening system illustrated in FIG. 1,showing the fastening system accommodating radial misalignments betweenthe first and second bores of the first and second members whileinterconnecting the first and second members.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the fastening system illustrated in FIG. 1interconnecting first and second members where the first and secondbores of the first and second members are radially aligned relative toeach other.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of another fastening system embodyingfeatures of the present invention, the fastening system being capable ofsubstantially inhibiting slippage between the first and second membersdue to shear loading.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the nut member illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of the nut member illustrated inFIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a section view of the fastening system illustrated in FIG. 6showing the fastening system interconnecting first and second members.

FIG. 10 is a section view of the fastening system illustrated in FIG. 6used in combination with the fastening system illustrated in FIGS. 1-5for accommodating misalignments between the first and second bores ofthe first and second members.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a locking system embodying the featuresof the present invention, the locking system being capable ofsubstantially inhibiting displacement of the fastener relative to thefirst and/or second members.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the spool insert illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the spool insert illustrated in FIG.11.

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the locking member illustrated in FIG.11.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the locking member illustrated in FIG.11.

FIG. 16 is a section view of the locking device illustrated in FIG. 11positioned to secure the fastener relative to the first and secondmembers.

FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of the lockingmember of the locking device illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 18 is a perspective plan view of the embodiment of the lockingmember illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a section view of the locking device illustrated in FIGS.17-18 positioned to secure the fastener relative to the first and secondmembers.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of a fastening system embodying features ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-20 illustrate a fastening system embodying the features of thepresent invention. For ease of description, in the discussion of thefastening apparatus, the term "distal" refers to the direction towardthe support structure (e.g., second member) to which a first member willbe interconnected via the fastening apparatus. Correspondingly, the term"proximal" refers to the direction away from the second member, towardthe first member.

Referring to FIG. 1, in one aspect of the present invention, forpurposes of interconnecting or fastening first and second members 14, 18(e.g., interconnecting a panel to a support structure) in abuttingrelation, the fastening apparatus 10 of the present invention generallycomprises a fastener 22 (e.g., bolt) and a nut member 42 engagablethereto. The fastener 22 may be configured such that at least a portionof the fastener, specifically, a distal end 28 of a shank portion 26, isinsertable into and/or receivable within the first and second bores 16,20 of the first and second members 14, 18, respectively. In this regard,upon insertion of at least the distal end 28 of the fastener 22 intoand/or through the first and second bores 16, 20 of the first and secondmembers 14, 18, respectively, the nut member 42 may engage at least thedistal end 28 of the fastener 22 proximate at least a distal surface 19of the second member 18 to interconnect the first and second members 14,18. In one embodiment, at least the distal end 28 of the fastener 22 andthe nut member 42 comprise threads such that the nut member 42 isthreadedly engagable with at least the distal end 28 of the fastener 22to fasten the first member 14 to the second member 18. As illustrated inFIG. 1, a substantial segment of the shank portion 26 of the fastener 22includes male thread segments 30 which are engagable with spiral femalethread segments 46 formed in the inner wall 48 of the nut member 42.

For purposes of receiving at least the distal end 28 of the fastener 22(e.g., bolt) to interconnect the first and second members 14, 18, thefirst and second members 14, 18 may be positioned relative to oneanother such that the first and second bores 16, 20 of the first andsecond members 14, 18 overlap each other. Ideally, for purposes offastening the first and second members 14, 18 together, the first andsecond bores 16, 20 of the first and second members 14, 18 completelyoverlap each other. In this regard, the first and second bores 16, 20may be positioned relative to one another such that first and secondlongitudinally extending central axes 17, 21 of the first and secondbores 16, 20, respectively, are substantially coincident (e.g., ±0.002inches). As such, and as shown in FIG. 5, at least the distal end 28 ofthe fastener 22 may be inserted into the first and second bores 16, 20of the first and second members 14, 18 and engaged with the nut member42 to secure the first and second members 14, 18 together.

However, in some instances, the first and second central axes 17, 21 ofthe first and second bores 16, 20, respectively, are misaligned orradially displaced relative to each other (i.e., not substantiallycoincident). Such misalignments between the first and second bores 16,20 can occur in instances where the first and second bores 16, 20 arenot match-drilled (e.g., where the first member 14 is a replacementpanel to be interchanged with an existing member and fastened to asecond member 18 (e.g., a support structure)). In order to obviate theneed for match-drilled bores and to facilitate interchangeability ofsuch panels while securely interconnecting the first and second members14, 18, the fastening apparatus 10 may also include first and secondwashers 60, 70. In this regard, match drilling is obviated as the firstand second washers 60, 70 accommodate misalignments between the firstand second bores 16, 20 which may result in instances wherematch-drilling is not utilized. The first and second washers 60, 70 eachinclude inner walls 62, 72 and outer walls 64, 74, respectively. Morespecifically, and as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3B, the inner andouter walls 62, 64 of the first washer 60 are concentric and defineinner and outer diameters, D_(i), D_(o), of the first washer 60.Similarly, the inner and outer walls 72, 74 of the second washer areconcentric and define inner and outer diameters, d_(i), d_(o), of thesecond washer 70. The inner walls 62, 72 of the first and second washers60, 70, respectively, define a centrally located aperture 66, 76 in thefirst and second washers 60, 70, respectively, such that the first andsecond washers 60, 70 are positionable about the shank portion 26 of thefastener 22, within the first bore 16. For purposes of enhancing theinterconnection of the first and second members 14, 18 via the fastener22 and nut member 42, the first washer 60 may be proximally positionedrelative to the second washer 70, the second washer being distal thefirst washer 60 and proximal the second member 18, as shown in FIGS. 1,4A-4C and 5. In this regard, the first washer 60 is frictionallyengagable with the second washer 70 about the shank portion 26 of thefastener 22, within the first bore 16 and proximal the second member 18.

In one embodiment, in order to provide a fastening apparatus 10 capableof accommodating misalignments while being capable of tolerating largeshear loads, the inner wall 62 of the first washer 60 is slidably and/orabuttingly engagable with a proximal segment 32 of the fastener shankportion 26 about a perimeter of the inner wall 62 of the first washer60. Correspondingly, the outer wall 74 of the second washer 70 isslidably interconnectable and/or engagable with a bore wall of the firstbore 16 about a perimeter of the outer wall 74 of the second washer 70.In instances where, for example, the first member 14 is a honeycombpanel, which is commonly used in spacecraft applications, to be fastenedto a support structure (e.g., the second member 18), a spool insert 88may be used to provide enhanced shear support to the honeycomb panel, asshown in FIGS. 4A-4C. The spool insert 88 may be positioned within thefirst bore 16 of the first member 14 such that an outer wall 92 of thespool insert 88 abuttingly engages the bore wall 15 of the first bore16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A-4C. In this regard, the outer wall 74 ofthe second washer 70 is slidably engagable with and in abutting relationto the inner wall 90 of the spool insert 88 about a perimeter of theouter wall 74. Thus, the first and second washers 60, 70 accommodatemisalignments between the first and second bores 16, 20, andinterconnect a proximal portion of the fastener shank portion 26 to thebore wall 15 of the first bore 16. Alternatively, where a spool insert88 is not used to enhance the shear loading capabilities of the firstmember 14, the outer wall 74 of the second washer 70 may directlyslidably engage the bore wall 15 of the first bore 16 (not shown).

For purposes of accommodating misalignments in the first and secondbores 16, 20, the first and second washers 60, 70 may be configuredand/or sized accordingly. In particular, in order to slidably andtightly engage the inner wall 90 of the spool insert 88 whileaccommodating a misalignment between the first and second bores 16, 20,the second washer 70 may have an outer diameter, d_(o), and an innerdiameter, d_(i), greater than the outer diameter, D_(o), and innerdiameter, D_(i), of the first washer 60. In this regard, the innerdiameter, d_(i), of the second washer 70 may be greater than a diameterof the shank portion 26 of the fastener 22, and the second washer 70 mayhave an outer diameter, d_(o), which is between about 0.0005 inches andabout 0.002 inches less than the diameter of the spool insert 88, asdefined by the inner wall 90 of the spool insert 88. In addition, theinner diameter, D_(i), of the first washer 60 may be slightly greaterthan a diameter of the proximal segment 32 of the shank portion 26 ofthe fastener 22 such that the inner wall 62 of the first washer 60 isslidably and tightly engagable with the proximal segment 32 of the shankportion 26. In this regard, the first washer 60 may have an innerdiameter, D_(i), which is between about 0.0005 inches and about 0.002inches greater than the diameter of the shank portion 26 of the fastener22. The outer diameter, D_(o), of the first washer 60 is less than thediameter of the spool insert 88, as defined by the inner wall 90, and,in a preferred embodiment, is less than the outer diameter, d_(o), ofthe second washer 70. In this regard, the fastening apparatus 10accommodates misalignments between the first and second bores 16, 20 asthe first washer 60 aligns with the shank portion 26 of the fastener 22and the second bore 20 in the second member 18 for receipt of at leastthe distal end 28 of the fastener 22 in the nut member 42, and thesecond washer 70 aligns with the first bore 16 in the first member 14.

In one embodiment, where the first and second central axes 17, 21 of thefirst and second bores 16, 20, respectively, are radially displacedrelative to one another by a misalignment offset, the inner diameter,d_(i), and the outer diameter, d_(o), of the second washer 70 aregreater than the inner diameter, D_(i), and the outer diameter, D_(o),of the first washer 60, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, inorder to provide an enhanced capability to accommodate misalignmentsbetween the first and second bores 16, 20, the first washer 60 may havean outer diameter, D_(o), which is less than the diameter of the firstbore 16, as defined by the bore wall 15, by an amount substantiallyequal to twice the amount of misalignment (e.g., twice the misalignmentoffset). Correspondingly, the second washer 70 may have an innerdiameter, d_(i), which is greater than the diameter of the shank portion26 by an amount substantially equal to twice the amount of misalignment(e.g., twice the misalignment offset, M_(o)). For example, where thecentral axis 17 of the first bore 16 is radially displaced (i.e.,misaligned) about 0.03 inches relative to and/or from the central axis21 of the second bore 20, the first washer 60 may have an outerdiameter, D_(o), as defined by the outer wall 64, which is at leastabout 0.06 inches less than the diameter of the first bore 16, asdefined by the bore wall 15. The second washer 70 may have an innerdiameter, d_(i), as defined by the inner wall 72, which is at leastabout 0.06 inches greater than the diameter of the shank portion 26 ofthe fastener 22. Accordingly, in this embodiment, a misalignmentcapability of about 0.030 inches radial is provided through the use ofthe first and second washers 60, 70.

In any event, the outer diameter, D_(o), of the first washer 60, asdefined by the outer wall 64, should be greater than the inner diameter,d_(i), of the second washer 70, as defined by the inner wall 72 suchthat the first and second washers 60, 70 may frictionally engage andcooperate with each other, as well as with the first bore 16, andspecifically, the inner wall 90 of the spool insert 88, to accommodatemisalignments between the first and second bores 16, 20. Furthermore, inorder to retain or capture the first and second washers 60, 70 withinthe first bore 16, the fastener 22 may have a head 34 on a proximal endof the fastener 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4C. In this regard, adiameter of the head 34 should be greater than the inner diameter,D_(i), of the first washer 60 to facilitate an abutting (e.g., bearing)interface between a proximal surface 67 of the first washer 60 and adistal surface 36 of the head 34.

For purposes of providing a fastening apparatus 10 capable of toleratinglarge shear loads, at least one of the first and second washers 60, 70may further include at least one serration (e.g., projection) forengaging the other of the first and second washers 60, 70. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3B, a distal surface 68 of the firstwasher 60 may include a plurality of serrations 82 (e.g., pyramidical,conical, frustoconical, hemispherical, irregular-shaped teeth) forengaging and penetrating into the proximal surface 77 of the secondwasher 70. Such serrations 82 may engage and penetrate into the proximalsurface 77 of the second washer 70 as the fastener 22 is threaded or"tightened" (e.g., torqued) relative to the nut member 42. Suchserrations 82 generally project distally from the distal surface 68 ofthe first washer 60, and may be configured to facilitate penetrationinto or indentation of the proximal surface 77 of the second washer 70.In addition, to further facilitate penetration into or indentation ofthe proximal surface 77 of the second washer 70, the second washer 70may have a hardness and/or yield strength which is less than thehardness and/or yield strength of the first washer 60 and serrations 82thereon. In one embodiment, the first washer 60 and serrations 82thereon are fabricated from a high yield strength material (e.g., steel,titanium, beryllium copper) while the second washer 70 is fabricatedfrom a lower yield strength material (e.g., aluminum, soft titanium,copper, plastic). Thus, upon tightening (e.g., torquing) of the fastener22 relative to the nut member 42, the serrations 82 on the distalsurface 68 of the first washer 60 are driven into the proximal surface77 of the second washer 70 to create an interface capable of carryinghigh shear loads, regardless of whether the first and second bores 16,20 are aligned.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the second washer 70 mayinclude at least one serration 82 on a proximal surface 77 of the secondwasher 70. In this alternative embodiment, the serrations 82 on thesecond washer 70 may engage and/or be otherwise driven into the distalsurface 68 of the first washer 60 to enhance the shear load carryingcapability of the fastening apparatus 10. In this regard, upon torquingor "tightening" of the fastener 22 relative to the nut member 42, theserrations 82 may penetrate into or otherwise deform the distal surface68 of the first washer 60. In order to facilitate such penetration, inthis embodiment, the second washer 70 may be fabricated from a highyield material, such as steel, while the first washer 60 may befabricated from a lower yield material, such as aluminum.

For purposes of facilitating insertion of the distal end 28 of thefastener 22 into and through the aperture 66 of the first washer 60 suchthat the distal surface 36 of the head 34 is abuttingly engagable withthe proximal surface 67 of the first washer 60, the first washer 60, andspecifically, the inner wall 62 of the first washer 60, may include anannular, radially inwardly-directed (e.g., toward the aperture 66)chamfered surface 63. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2B and 3B, thechamfered surface 63 may extend between the inner wall 62 and theproximal surface 67 of the first washer 60. Relative to the inner wall62, the chamfered surface 63 may be angled between about 40° and about50°, and, in a preferred embodiment, about 45°. As such, the chamferedsurface 63 is angled to allow the distal surface 36 of the head 34 toabuttingly and frictionally engage the proximal surface 67 of the firstwasher 60.

Substantially as described hereinabove, in order to interconnect thefirst and second member 14, 18 via the fastener 22 and the nut member42, at least the distal end 28 of the fastener 22 is threadedlyengagable with the nut member 42. In one embodiment, a distal segment 38of the shank portion 26 may be threadedly engagable with the nut member42 to secure the first member 14 to the second member 18. In thisregard, at least a distal portion 44 of the nut member 42 includesthreads 46 to engage the threads 30 of the fastener 26 at least withinthe distal segment 38 of the shank portion 26 of the fastener 22. Thedistal portion 44 of the nut member 42 may threadedly engage the distalsegment 38, at least proximate a distal surface 19 of the second member18. The nut member 42 may be of the standard, readily available type,or, alternatively, of the quick action type, such as those disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,378,187, 5,118,237, 3,352,341 and 4,083,393 and the ZipNut™, which is commercially available from Fastener Technologies,Chantilly, Va.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate another aspect of the present invention. Forpurposes of substantially inhibiting slippage or relative movementbetween first and second interconnectable members (e.g., a panel and asupport structure), one of which may be subject to large shear loads, afastening apparatus 110 for interconnecting the first and second members114, 118, illustrated in FIGS. 6-10, may include a fastener 122 and anut member 142 having a nose portion 154 (which will be described inmore detail hereinbelow).

Substantially as described hereinabove, according to the principles ofthe present invention, the first and second members 114, 118 (e.g., apanel and a support structure) are interconnectable via a fasteningapparatus 110, which generally comprises a fastener 122 (e.g., bolt) anda nut member 142 engagable thereto. More specifically, in order tofasten the first member 114 to the second member 118, at least a distalend 128 of a fastener shank portion 126 may be inserted into and/orreceivable within first and second bores 116, 120 of the first andsecond members 114, 118. Upon insertion into the bores 116, 120, atleast the distal end 128 of the shank portion 126 may frictionallyengage the nut member 142, and specifically, a body portion 156 of thenut member 142, to interconnect the first and second members 114, 118.In one embodiment, at least an inner wall 148 of the body portion 156 ofthe nut member 142 includes a plurality of spiral female thread segments146 which are threadedly engagable with male thread segments 130 on adistal segment 138 of the fastener shank portion 126.

In one embodiment, for purposes of substantially inhibiting slippagebetween the first and second members 114, 118, the fastening apparatus110, and specifically, the nut member 142, may include the nose portion154, which is capable of abuttingly engaging a proximal portion 140 ofthe fastener shank portion 126 to generally inhibit tilting of thefastener 122 relative to the nut member 142, especially in instanceswhere large shear loads are applied to one the first and second members114, 118. In order to provide resistance and/or to react to suchtilting, the nut member 142 is configured such that the nose portion 154extends proximally from and relative to the body portion 156 of the nutmember 142. Furthermore, the nose portion 154 may be sized and/orconfigured such that the nose portion 154 is positionable within thesecond bore 120 of the second member 118, in abutting relationtherewith. Having the nose portion 154 engage the shank portion 126 at aproximal portion 140, within the second bore 120, enhances thereactability of the nose portion 154 to shear loading on one of thefirst and second members 114, 118 as less stress is imparted into thesecond member 118, in view of the large area of abutting engagementbetween the nose portion 154 and the proximal portion 140 and betweenthe threaded distal portion 138 of the shank portion 126 whichthreadedly engages the body portion 156 of the nut member 142. The noseportion 154 may be annular in configuration.

Of importance, for purposes of providing a fastening apparatus 110capable of substantially inhibiting tilting of the fastener 122 relativeto the first and/or second members 114, 118, the engagement between theinner wall 158 of the nose portion 154 and the proximal portion 140 ofthe fastener shank portion 126 is tight (e.g., in abutting relation). Inthis regard, at least one of the proximal portion 140 of the fastenershank portion 126 and proximal part 155 of the inner wall 158 of thenose portion 154 is substantially smooth (e.g., threadless), as shown inFIG. 7. In one embodiment, both the proximal portion 140 of the fastenershank portion 126 and the proximal part 155 of the inner wall 158 of thenose portion 154 are smooth.

Similarly, for purposes of substantially inhibiting substantiallyinhibiting spinning of the nut member 142 and/or the fastening member122 relative to the second member 118, the engagement between the outerwall 157 of the nose portion 154 and the bore wall 119 of the secondmember 118 should be tight. In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6 and 8,for purposes of enhancing the interface between the outer wall 157 ofthe nose portion 154 and the bore wall 119, a plurality of knurls 198(e.g., serrations) are integrally formed on the outer wall 157 of thenose portion 154. Upon installation (e.g., press engagement) of the nutmember 142 into the second member 118, such knurls 198 may be capable ofpressing against the bore wall 119 of the second member 118 tosubstantially inhibit spinning of the nut member 142 relative to thesecond member 118. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the outerwall of the nose portion and the bore wall of the second member maythreadedly engage each other. In this embodiment, for purposes ofenhancing the interconnection between the nut member and the secondmember to substantially inhibit spinning of the nut member relative tothe second member, left-handed threads may be integrally formed on theouter wall of the nose portion of the nut member and the second membersuch that upon tightening or torquing of the fastener relative to thenut member via right-handed threads thereon, the threaded engagementbetween the nut member and second member is enhanced.

In order to provide such abutting engagability, the nose portion 154 maybe sized to abuttingly engage both the second bore wall 119 of thesecond bore 120 and the proximal portion 140 of the fastener shankportion 126. In one embodiment, for a 1/4 inch fastener 122, the noseportion 154 may be sized such that the diameter, D_(b), of the secondbore 120, as defined by the bore wall 119, is less than about 0.005inches greater than the outer diameter, D_(n/o), of the nose portion154, as defined by the outer wall 157 of the nose portion 154. In apreferred embodiment, the diameter, D_(b), of the second bore 120, asdefined by the bore wall 119, is less than about 0.002 inches greaterthan the outer diameter, D_(n/o), of the nose portion 154, as defined bythe outer wall 157 of the nose portion 154. Furthermore, the noseportion 154 may be sized such that the inner diameter, D_(n/i), of thenose portion 154, as defined by the inner wall 158 of the nose portion154, is less than about 0.002 inches greater than the diameter, D_(f),of the proximal portion 140 of the fastener shank portion 126. In apreferred embodiment, the inner diameter, D_(n/i), of the nose portion154 is between about 0.0005 inches and about 0.002 inches greater thanthe diameter, D_(f), of the proximal portion 140 of the fastener shankportion 126. In this regard, the nose portion 154 tightly and abuttinglyengages the proximal portion 140 of the fastener shank portion 126 tosubstantially inhibit tilting of the fastener 122 relative to the firstand/or second members 114, 118. Furthermore, as the diameter, D_(b), ofthe second bore 120, as defined by the second bore wall 119, is greaterthan the diameter, D_(f), shear and bearing stresses into the secondmember 118 are reduced as contact stress due to shear forces (e.g., 800lbs. per 1/4 inch fastener 122) are spreadable and translatable into thesecond member 118 over a wider area.

For purposes of providing a fastening apparatus 110 capable of resistingand/or reacting to shear loads on, for example, the first member 114, itis generally preferable to provide a nut member 142 which tightlyengages the shank portion 126 of the fastener 122, as illustrated inFIG. 9. For example, where a shear force is applied on the first member114, reactive forces are applied by the nut member 142 to resist tiltingof the fastener 122 relative to the first and/or second member 114, 118.Such reactive forces from the nut member 142, relative to the shankportion 126, are generally applied at proximal portions 140 and distalsegments 138 of shank portion 126. As such, for purposes of inhibitingtilting of the fastening member 122, the present invention provides fora tight, abutting interface at least between the proximal portion 140 ofthe shank portion 126 and the nose portion 154 of the nut member 142.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, the body portion 156 of the nut member 142includes female thread segments 146 formed in the inner wall 148 of thebody portion 156, while the inner wall 158 of the nose portion 154 issmooth. In one embodiment, the female thread segments 146 of the bodyportion 156 engage the male threads 130 on the shank portion 126 of thefastener 122 and, in a preferred embodiment, such male and female threadsegments 130, 146 uniformly engage each other to provide a tightinterface therebetween. Of primary importance, for purposes of providinga nut member 142 capable of reacting against a shear force on one of thefirst and second members 114, 118, the nut member 142 is configured andsized to direct such reactant forces on areas of the fastener 122 tosubstantially inhibit tilting of the fastener 122 relative to the firstand second members 114, 118. More specifically, as shear loads on one ofthe first and second members 114, 118 are translated into a proximalsegment 141, proximate the head 122, of the fastener 122 via the spool188 and the second and first washers 170, 160, reactant forces act onthe fastener 122 to substantially inhibiting tilting of the fastener 122relative to the nut member 142. Such reactant forces from the nut member142 optimally act on the distal segment 138 of the fastener 122 and onthe proximal portion 140 of the fastener shank portion 126. In thisregard, and as shown in FIG. 10, the present invention contemplatesproviding a nut member 142 which is optimally sized such that thelength, L_(l), between upper and lower areas 159_(a) and 159_(b) of thenut member 142 from which such reactant forces act on the proximalportion 140 and the distal segment 138 of the fastener 122,respectively, is larger than the length, L₂, between the area in whichshear loads are translated into the fastener 122 (e.g., proximal segment141 of the fastener shank portion 126) and the upper area 159_(a) of thenut member 142 from which a reactant force acts on the proximal portion140 of the fastener shank portion 126.

In order to react to large shear loads applied on the first and/orsecond members 114, 118, the nose portion 154 of the nut member 142 maybe fabricated from a high yield strength material having a high modulusof elasticity, such as steel, titanium and beryllium copper. In oneembodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 10, the length, L_(n),of the nose portion 154 for abuttingly engaging the fastener 122, is atleast about one-half the diameter, D_(f), of the shank portion 126 ofthe fastener 122. A length of the nose portion 154 may also be less thanor equal to the thickness of the second member 118, the thickness of thesecond member being defined by proximal and distal surfaces of thesecond member 118. For example, where the second member 118 has athickness of 0.25 inches, the length of the nose portion 154 may beabout 0.245 inches. In addition, in one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS.9-10, where the fastener 122 is a 1/4 inch fastener, the nose portion154 has a thickness, T_(n), of 0.060 inches.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9, the nut member 142 is securable to adistal surface 113 of the second member 118. More specifically, in oneembodiment, the nose portion 154 may be positioned within the secondbore 120 of the second member 118 and a proximal surface 153 of the bodyportion 156 may abuttingly engage the distal surface 113 of the secondmember 118. For purposes of enhancing the attachment of the nut member142 to the second member 118 while optimizing the area of interfacebetween the distal surface 113 and the proximal surface 153, the nutmember 142 may be chemically bonded to the distal surface 113 of thesecond member 118. In one embodiment, an annular recess 150 may beformed in the proximal surface 153 of an annular flange portion 151 ofthe body portion 156. An epoxy adhesive (e.g., EA9394, available fromHysol), may be applied within the recess 150 to securely interconnectthe nut member 142 to the distal surface 113 of the second member 118.In this regard, for purposes of enhancing the engagement between the nutmember 142 and the second member 118, only a small area of the proximalsurface 153 of the flange portion 151 engages the distal surface 113 ofthe second member 118, while the area of the recess 150, relative to theproximal surface 153 of the flange portion 151, is optimized such thatthe proper adhesive thickness will be maintained within the recess 150.Alternatively, the nut member 142 may be attached to the second member118 via mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts, rivets, pins,clamps etc. The body portion 156 of the nut member 142 may include aquick action nut system, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,378,187, 5,118,237, 3,352,341 and 4,083,393 and the Zip Nut™, which iscommercially available from Fastener Technologies, Chantilly, Va., or,alternatively, may comprise a standard nut.

The fastening apparatus 110, shown in FIGS. 6-9, may further includefirst and second washers 160, 170, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Suchwashers 160, 170 may be especially useful in instances where the firstand second bores 116, 120 of the first and second members 114, 118 notradially alignable with each other (e.g., the central axes 117, 121 ofthe first and second bores 116, 120 are not substantially coincidentwith each other (e.g., ±0.002 inches)). Substantially as describedhereinabove, the fastening apparatus 110 may be used in conjunction withthe first and second washers 160, 170 to accommodate misalignmentsbetween the first and second bores 116, 120 while substantiallyinhibiting slippage between the first and second members 114, 118 due tolarge shear loads. In this regard, first and second washers 160, 170 maybe positioned about the shank portion 126, within the first bore 116,such that the first and second washers 160, 170 are proximallypositioned relative to the nose portion 154 of the nut member 142 toengage a proximal segment 132 of the fastener shank portion 126. Each ofthe first and second washers 160, 170 may include concentric inner walls162, 172, and outer walls 164, 174, respectively.

More specifically, in order to provide a fastening apparatus 110 capableof accommodating misalignments while being capable of substantiallyinhibiting slippage of the first member 114 relative to the secondmember 118, the inner wall 162 of the first washer 160 is slidablyand/or abuttingly engagable with a proximal segment 132 of the fastenershank portion 126 about a perimeter of the inner wall 162 of the firstwasher 160. In addition, the outer wall 174 of the second washer 170 isslidably interconnectable or engagable with a bore wall of the firstbore 116 about a perimeter of the outer wall 174 of the second washer170. Substantially as noted hereinabove, in instances where, forexample, the first member 114 is a honeycomb panel, which is commonlyused in space-based structures due to its weight and strengthcharacteristics, a spool insert 188 may be used to enhance attachment ofthe honeycomb panel. Such a spool insert 188 may be positioned withinthe first bore 116 of and bonded to the first member 114 such that anouter wall 192 of the spool insert 188 abuttingly engages the bore wallof the first bore 116. In this regard, the outer wall 174 of the secondwasher 170 is slidably and/or abuttingly engagable with the inner wall190 of the spool insert 188 about a perimeter of the outer wall 174.

The fastening apparatus 110 may further include a plurality ofserrations 182 (e.g., projections) on at least one of the first andsecond washer 160, 170 for engaging the other of the first and secondwasher 160, 170, as illustrated in FIG. 10. As noted hereinabove, suchserrations 182 are especially useful in tolerating large shear forcesapplied on one of the first and second members 114, 118. A distalsurface 168 of the first washer 160 may include a plurality ofserrations 182 (e.g., pyramidical, conical, frustoconical,hemispherical) for frictionally engaging and/or penetrating into theproximal surface 177 of the second washer 170. As such, the serrations182 may substantially assist the nose portion 154 of the nut member 142in substantially inhibiting slippage between the first and secondmembers 114, 118 due to shear loading on the first and/or second members114, 118.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, illustrated in FIGS.11-20, a locking apparatus 310 may be utilized to secure orsubstantially inhibit displacement of the fastener 222 relative to thefirst and second member 214, 218. Furthermore, the locking apparatus 310may be used in conjunction with a fastening apparatus 210 tosubstantially inhibit displacement of the fastener 222 relative to oneof the members interconnected thereby, especially in instances where thefastener 222 loosens relative to the nut member 242. In particular, ininstances where the fastening apparatus 210 comprises a fastening member222 and a nut member 242, wherein at least a portion of the fasteningmember 222 is threadedly engagable with the nut member 242 tointerconnect first and second members 214, 218, the locking apparatus310 may be used to lock or secure the fastening member 222 relative toone of the first and second members 214, 218. In this regard, thelocking device 310 enhances the interconnection between the first andsecond members 214, 218 as the locking device 310 substantially inhibitsthe fastening member 222 (e.g., bolt) from loosening and/or displacingrelative to the nut member 242, which thereby inhibits the fasteningmember 222 from separating from the nut member 242 and/or the firstmember 214. As such, the locking device 310 is especially useful ininstances where such fastening members 222 are susceptible to"loosening" relative to the nut member 242, such as where the fasteningapparatus 210 and/or the first and second members 214, 218 are subjectedto vibrations (e.g., random vibrations) or loading, and/or contractionof the first and/or second members 214, 218 and/or the fastener 222and/or the nut member 242 relative to each other. In this regard, thelocking device 310 is especially useful to inhibit loosened fasteningmembers 222 from damaging nearby instruments or equipment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 16, the first and second members 214, 218are fastenable together, in abutting relation, via the fastening member222 and nut member 242. In this regard, the fastener 222 is configuredsuch that at least a portion of the fastener 222, specifically, a distalend 228 of a shank portion 226, is receivable within and insertable intothe first and second bores 216, 220 of the first and second members 214,218, respectively. In this regard, upon insertion of at least the distalend 228 of the fastener 222 into and/or through the first and secondbores 216, 220 of the first and second members 214, 218, respectively,the nut member 228 may engage at least the distal end 228 of thefastener 222, proximate at least a distal surface 213 of the secondmember 218, to interconnect the first and second members 214, 218. Inone embodiment, at least the distal end 228 of the fastener 222 and thenut member 242 comprise threads such that the nut member 242 isthreadedly engagable with at least the distal end 228 of the fastener222 to fasten the first member 214 to the second member 218. Asubstantial segment of the shank portion 226 of the fastener 222 mayinclude male thread segments 230 which are engagable with female threadsegments 246 formed in the inner wall 248 of the nut member 242.

As noted hereinabove, in one embodiment, at least a portion of the nutmember 242 threadedly engages at least a distal end 228 of the fastener222 proximate a distal surface 213 of the second member 218. In order tosubstantially inhibit displacement (e.g., rotational, axial) of the nutmember 242 relative to the second member 218, the nut member 242 may bemechanically and/or chemically fastened to the distal surface 213 of thesecond member 218. In one embodiment, an annular groove or recess 250may be formed in a proximal surface 253 of the body portion 256 of thenut member 242, and specifically, in a flange portion 251 of the nutmember 242. An epoxy adhesive (e.g., EA9394, available from Hysol) maybe applied to the recess 250 to chemically bond or secure the nut member242 to the distal surface 213 of the second member 218. Alternatively,the nut member 242 may be attached to the second member 218 viamechanical fasteners, such as pins, rivets, screws, bolts, clamps etc.The body portion 256 of the nut member 242 may include a quick actionnut system, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,378,187,5,118,237, 3,352,341 and 4,083,393 and the Zip Nut™, which iscommercially available from Fastener Technologies, Chantilly, Va., or,alternatively, may comprise a standard nut.

For purposes of providing a locking apparatus 310 capable ofsubstantially positively securing the fastening member 222 relative toat least one of the first and second members 214, 218, as opposed to africtional securement, the locking apparatus 310 is capable of extendingbetween and/or interconnecting the fastening member 222 and the firstmember 214. In one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 11-16, the lockingapparatus 310 includes a tubular spool insert 320 insertable andsecurable within the first bore of the first member 214 and a lockingmember 350, which extends between the fastener 222 and the spool insert320. In particular, for purposes of interfacing with the locking member350, the spool insert 320 includes an annular groove 324 positionedabout a bore 334, which extends through the spool insert 320, the bore334 being defined by an inner wall 338 of the spool insert 320. Theannular groove 324 may include at least one slot 328 configured forreceiving a portion of the locking member 350 (which will be describedin more detail hereinbelow). The spool insert 320 may be secured withinthe first bore of the first member 214 via a mechanical fastener orchemical bonding. In one embodiment, the spool insert 320 isinterconnected to the first member 214, within the first bore, via atleast one fastener, such as pins, rivets, bolts, screws and clamps. Inanother embodiment, the spool insert 320 is chemically bonded to thefirst member 214 by an epoxy adhesive (e.g., EA9394, available fromHysol).

Alternatively, in another embodiment (not shown), where a spool insert320 is not utilized, the annular groove 324 and slots 328 associatedtherewith may be integrally formed within the first member 214, andspecifically, in the first bore wall which defines the first bore. Inthis regard, the locking member 350 may interconnect and extend betweenthe fastener 222 and the first member 214 to substantially inhibitdisplacement of the fastener 222 relative to the first member 214.

For purposes of providing a secure engagement between the locking member350 and the spool insert 320 to substantially inhibit displacement(e.g., rotational, axial) of the fastener 222 relative to the firstmember 214, in one embodiment, the locking member 350 includes anelastically deformable upper portion 354 (e.g., snap ring) capable ofbeing received within the first bore 216 and specifically, within theannular groove 324. The locking member 350 may further include at leastone tab 360 positioned about a perimeter of the upper portion 354 of thelocking member 350 for engaging the spool insert 320 (as will bedescribed in more detail hereinbelow). In order to engage the spoolinsert 320, and specifically, be captured within the annular groove 324,the upper portion 354 may have an unflexed diameter, D_(c), greater thanthe diameter, D_(s), of the spool insert 320, as defined by the innerwall 338 of the spool insert 320. In this regard, the upper portion 354may be sized to have an unflexed diameter, D_(c), substantiallycorresponding to the diameter, D_(g), of the annular groove 324.Furthermore, the upper portion or snap ring 354 may include a pair ofradially inwardly flexible prongs 366, which are capable of being"pinched" or flexed radially inwardly to allow insertion and positioningof the locking member 350 within the bore 334 of the spool insert 320.In one embodiment, the prongs 366 each include a prong bore 368 whichfacilitates pinching of the prongs 366 for insertion into the lockingmember 350, and specifically insertion of the upper portion 354 andassociated tab 360 into the annular groove 324 and one of the slots 328associated with the annular groove 324, respectively. In this regard,the prong bores 368 may be configured to receive the tips of a pinchinginstrument (not shown) (e.g., instrument having plier-like capability).The upper portion 354 may be fabricated from a metal, such as springsteel or beryllium copper, or from a high strength moldable plastic,such as Torlon™, available from Amoco Polymers, Inc., Alpharetta, Ga.,or Ultem™, which is available from General Electric Company, Fairfield,Conn.

The annular groove 324 and each of the slots 328 associated therewithare configured to receive at least a perimeter of the upper portion 354and one of the tabs 360, respectively. For purposes of facilitatingpositioning and removal of the locking apparatus 310, the annular groove324 is located in a proximal portion of the spool insert 320.Furthermore, the annular groove 324 and the slots 328 may be sized toabuttingly engage at least a portion of the perimeter of the upperportion 354 and the tab 360. In this regard, in order to facilitatereceipt of at least a portion of the perimeter of the upper portion 354,the annular groove 324 may have a thickness, T_(g), greater than thethickness, T_(c), of the upper portion 354. In one embodiment, thethickness of the annular groove 324, T_(g), is about 0.025 inchesgreater than the thickness of the upper portion 354, T_(c).

The tab 360 of the upper portion 354 is configured such that the tab 360extends radially outwardly from and relative to the upper portion 354.In this regard, the tab 360 is receivable within one of the slots 328 ofthe annular groove 324 to substantially inhibit displacement (e.g.,rotational, axial) of the fastener 222 relative to the first member 214.The tab 360 and the slots 328 may be configured such that the tab 360 isslidably and abuttingly engagable with each of the slots 328.

As noted hereinabove, the locking member 350 interconnects the firstmember 214 and the fastener 222 to substantially inhibit displacement(e.g., axial, rotational) of the fastener 222 relative to the firstmember 214. In this regard, the locking member 350 may further include aleg 380 interconnected with the upper portion 354, the leg 380 beingcapable of engaging the fastener 222. In one embodiment, the leg 380extends distally from a distal surface of the upper portion 354 and isoriented normal to the upper portion 354. As illustrated in FIGS. 11,14-16, a distal portion 382 of the leg 380 is selectively engagable witha proximal portion 234 of the fastener 222. In order to substantiallyinhibit displacement of the fastener 222 relative to the leg 380, in oneembodiment, at least the distal portion 382 of the leg 380 isselectively receivable within a female portion 235 on the proximalportion 234 of the fastener 222, as shown in FIG. 16. For instance, thefemale portion 235 and the distal portion 382 of the leg 380 may havecorrespondingly sized and configured cross-sections to substantiallyinhibit relative rotational movement therebetween (e.g., triangular,rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc. cross-sections). In apreferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 11, 14-16, the female portion 235and the distal portion 382 of the leg 380 are hexagonally configured.The leg 380 may be either integrally formed with the upper portion 354or, alternatively, a separate member interconnected to the upper portion354. Furthermore, the leg 380 may be fabricated from a metal, such asaluminum or stainless steel, or from a high strength plastic, such asTorlon™ or Ultem™. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), forpurposes of substantially inhibiting rotational movement of the fastener222 relative to the leg 380, the proximal portion 234 (e.g., head) maybe receivable within a female-type distal portion of the leg 380,wherein the distal portion 382 of the leg 380 is upper portionable ofreceiving the proximal portion 234 of the fastener 222.

As can be appreciated, upon torquing or tightening of the fastener 222relative to the nut member 242, the position of the tab 360 of thelocking member 350 relative to the slots 328 may vary, depending uponthe degree of torquing of the fastener 222 relative to the nut member242 desired (e.g., 10 inch-lbs., 150 inch-lbs.). In order to provide alocking apparatus 310, and specifically, a upper portion 354 and tab 360associated therewith, which is capable of being received within a slot328 at at least one of a plurality of positions about the annular groove324, the position of each of the slots 328 about the annular groove 324may be selected. Furthermore, the configurations of the distal portion382 of the leg 380 and the female portion 235 of the fastener 222 may beselected. In one embodiment of the invention, where the configurationsof the distal portion 382 and the female portion 235 are hexagonal incross-section, the slots 328 may be positioned about the annular groove324 at non-60° intervals, as shown in FIGS. 12-13. Such positioning ofthe slots 328 optimizes the positioning and locking of the lockingmember 350 as the rotational position of the tab 360 may already bevaried in 60° intervals, relative to a longitudinally-extending centralaxis 322 of the spool insert 320, due to the hexagonal configuration ofthe distal portion 382 of the leg 380 and the female portion 235 of thefastener 222. In this regard, the slots 328 may be positioned, relativeto the central axis 322, about the annular groove 324 at equalintervals. For instance, in one embodiment, relative to thelongitudinally-extending central axis 322 of the spool insert 320, fiveslots (e.g., 328_(a), 328_(b), 328_(c), 328_(d), 328_(e)) are equallyspaced about the annular groove 324 at intervals of 72°. In anotherembodiment (not shown), relative to the longitudinally-extending centralaxis 322 of the spool insert 320, seven slots (e.g., 328_(a), 328_(b),328_(c), 328_(d), 328_(e), 328_(f), 328_(g)) are equally spaced aboutthe annular groove 324 at intervals of 51.43°. In this regard, the tab360 may be receivable within at least one of the slots 328 tosubstantially inhibit rotation of the fastener 222 relative to the firstmember 214.

The locking apparatus 310, illustrated in FIGS. 11-16, may also be usedin association with either or both of the above-described fasteningapparatuses 10, 110, illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and FIGS. 6-10,respectively. In one embodiment, the fastening apparatus capable ofaccommodating misalignments between bores of the members to beinterconnected may be used in combination with the locking apparatus forlimiting displacement (e.g., rotation, axial) of the fastener relativeto the interconnected members. In such instances where the bores aremisaligned relative to each other, the locking device may tiltablyengage and/or interconnect the first member (e.g., via the spool insert)and the fastener interconnecting the members, as the fastenerinterconnectable to the locking device is not coincident with alongitudinally extending center axis of the bore associated therewith.

As illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, in this embodiment, the locking device510 may be used in conjunction with the fastening apparatus 410. Inorder to accommodate misalignments between the bores of the first andsecond members 414, 418 to be interconnected via a fastener 422 and nutmember 442, first and second washers 460, 470 may be utilizedsubstantially as described hereinabove. In this regard, the first andsecond washers 460, 470 may be positioned about the shank portion 426,within the first bore of the first member 414, such that the first andsecond washers 460, 470 are proximally positioned relative to the secondmember 418 to engage a proximal segment 432 of the fastener shankportion 426.

Each of the first and second washers 460, 470 may include concentricinner walls 462, 472 and outer walls 464, 474, respectively. In thisregard, for purposes of accommodating misalignments between the bores ofthe first and second members 414, 418, the inner wall 462 of the firstwasher 460 is slidably and/or abuttingly engagable with a proximalsegment 432 of the fastener shank portion 426 about a perimeter of theinner wall 462 of the first washer 460. In addition, the outer wall 474of the second washer 470 is slidably interconnectable or engagable withthe bore wall of the first bore about a perimeter of the outer wall 474of the second washer 470. In instances where a spool insert 520 is usedto provide enhanced shear support to the first member 414, as shown inFIG. 19, the spool insert 520 may be positioned within the first bore ofthe first member 414 such that an outer wall 526 of the spool insert 520abuttingly engages the bore wall of the first bore. In this regard, theouter wall 474 of the second washer 470 is slidably and/or abuttinglyengagable with the inner wall 525 of the spool insert 520 about aperimeter of the outer wall 474 of the second washer 470.

In order to provide a fastening apparatus 410 capable of accommodatingmisalignments between the bores of the first and second members 414,418, in combination with a locking device 510 designed to substantiallylimit displacement of the fastener 422 relative to the first member 414,the locking device 510 is capable of tiltably engaging andinterconnecting the fastener 422 and the spool insert 520, andspecifically, the annular groove 524 and one of the slots 528 of thespool insert 520. As illustrated in FIG. 19, in instances where thecentral axis 417 of the first bore is not coincident with the centralaxis 421 of the second bore, the fastener 422, which is aligned with thecentral axis 421 of the second bore, may be correspondingly displacedrelative to the central axis 417 of the first bore in order tointerconnect the first and second members 414, 418. Correspondingly, dueto the misalignment, the locking device, 510, and specifically, theupper portion 554 of the locking member 550 and leg 580 extendingdistally therefrom may tiltably engage the spool insert 520, within theannular groove 524, and the fastener 422, respectively, as the leg 580is inclined at an angle relative to the central axis 421 of the secondbore, the angle corresponding to the amount of misalignment between thefirst and second bores.

As illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, for purposes of allowing the upperportion 554 and the tab 560 of the locking member 550 to be received andengaged within the annular groove 524 and any one of the slots 528,respectively, the annular groove 524 and the upper portion 554 may besized and configured such that the upper portion 554 is capturablewithin the annular groove 524, even in instances where the upper portion554 is inclined (e.g., angled) relative to the annular groove 524. Inthis regard, the annular groove 524 may have a thickness, T_(g), whichis greater than the thickness, T_(c) of the upper portion 554 toaccommodate a tiltable engagement between the upper portion 554 and theannular groove 524.

Furthermore, in instances where a misalignment between the first andsecond bores is accommodated via first and second washers 460, 470, asillustrated in FIG. 19, the leg 580 may be configured to tiltably engagethe fastener 422. More specifically, in order to accommodate theresulting angled engagement between the leg 580 and the proximal portion434 (e.g., head) of the fastener 422, the leg 580 may further include,at the distal portion 582 of the leg 580, a necked segment 584 ofreduced area that extends into a head-engaging portion 586 (e.g., ballend allen wrench), as illustrated in FIGS. 17-19. For example, in oneembodiment, for purposes of engaging the leg 580 to the fastener 422,the leg 580 and head-engaging portion 586 are configured to have ahexagonal cross-section and the proximal portion 434 of the fastener422, specifically, the female portion 435, is hexagonally configured andsized to receive the head-engaging portion 586. The head-engagingportion 586 is thus engagable with the proximal portion 434 of thefastener 422 as the neck segment 584 and the head-engaging portion 586cooperate with the female portion 435 to interconnect the leg 580 andfastener 422, even in instances where the leg 580 is angled relative tothe fastener 422.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 20, the apparatuses describedhereinabove may be used in combination with each other as a fasteningsystem 600, for example, to accommodate misalignments between the firstand second bores of the members 614, 618 to be interconnected via afastener 622 (e.g., bolt), to substantially inhibit slippage between theinterconnected members 614, 618 due to the effect of shear loads on thefastener 622 relative to the members 614, 618, and to substantiallyinhibit displacement (e.g., axial, rotational) of the fastener 622relative to the interconnectable members 614, 618. In this regard,substantially as described hereinabove, for purposes of accommodatingmisalignments between the first and second bores of the first and secondmembers 614, 618, inner and outer walls 662, 674 of the first and secondwashers 660, 670 may be positioned to slidably engage the shank portion626 of the fastener 622 and the inner wall 690 of the spool insert 688,respectively. Furthermore, an inner wall 658 of a nose portion 654 of anut member 642 may be configured to abuttingly engage a proximal portion640 of the fastener 622 to substantially inhibit tilting of the fastener622 relative to the nut member 642 when one or both of the first andsecond members 614, 618 is subject to shear loading. The inner wall 658and the proximal portion 640 may be substantially smooth (e.g.,threadless), or alternatively, may include a plurality of knurls 698, asillustrated in FIG. 20. For purposes of substantially inhibitingdisplacement of the fastener 622 relative to the first and/or secondmembers 614, 618, the fastening system 600 may further include a lockingmember 750 which interconnects the spool insert 688 and the fastener622. Specifically, a upper portion 754 and/or a tab 760 may engage thespool insert 688 within an annular groove 724 and one of a plurality ofslots 728 and a distal portion 786 of a leg 780 may engage the head 634of the fastener 622. As such, substantially as described in more detailhereinabove with respect to other embodiments, the fastening system 600may accommodate misalignments between the bores of the first and secondmembers 614, 618, substantially inhibit slippage between the first andsecond members 614, 618 due to shear loading, and substantially inhibitdisplacement of the fastener 622 relative to the first and/or secondmembers 614, 618.

In yet another embodiment (not shown), the above-described lockingdevice for limiting displacement of the fastener relative to theinterconnectable members may be used in combination with the fasteningapparatus for substantially inhibiting slippage between theinterconnected members due to shear loading on one of the members.

The foregoing description of the present invention has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, thedescription is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosedherein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with theabove teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, arewithin the scope of the present invention. The embodiments describedhereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known forpracticing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art toutilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with variousmodifications required by the particular applications or uses of thepresent invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construedto include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the priorart.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fastening system for interconnecting andsubstantially inhibiting slippage between first and second membershaving first and second bores defined by first and second bore walls,respectively, said fastening system comprising:a fastening member havinga head and a shank portion, wherein said shank portion is receivablewithin the first and second bores in the first and second members,respectively; and a nut means, positionable distal to a proximal surfaceof the second member, for securably engaging said shank portion, saidnut means comprising a threaded portion and a nose portion adapted toextend proximally from said threaded portion into the second bore in thesecond member, wherein said nose portion has a smooth inner wall forabuttingly engaging a proximal segment of said shank portion and anouter wall adapted to abuttingly engage the second bore wall of thesecond member, distal to said head of said fastening member, tosubstantially inhibit at least lateral movement of at least said shankportion of said fastening member relative to at least the second member.2. A fastening system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a distal segmentof said shank portion comprises threads, distal said proximal segment ofsaid shank portion, wherein said threaded portion of said nut meansthreadedly engages said distal segment of said shank portion, distalsaid nose portion.
 3. A fastening system, as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid proximal segment of said shank portion is threadless.
 4. Afastening system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said nose portion isadapted to extend into the second bore from a distal surface of thesecond member toward a proximal surface of the second member.
 5. Afastening system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer wall of saidnose portion includes a plurality of knurls pressable into the secondbore wall defined by the second bore of the second member.
 6. Afastening system, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:washermeans, engagable with at least one of said shank portion of saidfastening member and the first bore wall defined in the first bore, foraccommodating a misalignment between the first and second bores of thefirst and second members, respectively.
 7. A fastening system as claimedin claim 1, further comprising:a tubular insert member, positionablewithin and in abutting relation to the first bore and the first borewall defined by the first bore, respectively, of the first member,wherein said tubular insert member includes an inner diameter defined byan inner wall for receiving said shank portion of said fastening membertherethrough, wherein said tubular insert member comprises a spool-typeinsert having an outer diameter adapted to correspond to a diameter ofthe first bore in the first member.
 8. A fastening system, as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising:a locking means, interconnectable betweensaid first member and said fastening member, for substantiallyinhibiting displacement of said fastening member relative to said firstmember.
 9. A fastening system, as claimed in claim 8, wherein one ofsaid first member and a tubular insert positionable within said firstmember includes an annular channel, wherein said locking means comprisesa locking member, insertable within said tubular insert member, saidlocking member having a leg engagable with said fastening member and anelastically deformable upper portion interconnected with said leg,wherein a perimeter of said elastically deformable upper portion ispositionable within said annular groove.
 10. A fastening system, asclaimed in claim 9, wherein said one of said first member and saidtubular insert includes at least one slot radially extending outwardlyrelative to and from said annular channel, wherein said locking meansfurther comprises a tab extending radially outwardly from said perimeterof said elastically deformable upper portion, wherein said tab ispositionable within said slot.
 11. A fastening system, as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising:washer means, positionable within one of thefirst bore and a tubular insert member positionable within the firstbore, for accommodating a misalignment between the first and secondbores of the first and second member, respectively.
 12. A fasteningsystem for interconnecting and substantially inhibiting slippage betweenfirst and second members, said fastening system comprising:a fasteningmember having a head and a shank portion, wherein said shank portion isreceivable within first and second bores in the first and secondmembers, respectively; a nut means, positionable distal to a proximalsurface of the second member, for securably engaging said shank portion,said nut means comprising a threaded portion and a nose portion adaptedto extend proximally from said threaded portion into the second bore inthe second member, wherein at least a proximal part of said nose portionhas a smooth inner wall for abuttingly engaging a proximal segment ofsaid shank portion, distal to said head of said fastening member; andwasher means, engagable with at least one of said shank portion of saidfastening member and a first bore wall defined in the first bore, foraccommodating a misalignment between the first and second bores of thefirst and second members, respectively, wherein said washer meanscomprises first and second washers each having inner and outer walls,wherein said inner wall of said first washer is slidably engagable withsaid shank portion of said fastening member, distal to said proximalsegment, and said outer wall of said second washer is slidably engagablewith the first bore wall of the first member.
 13. A fastening system forinterconnecting and substantially inhibiting slippage between first andsecond members, said fastening system comprising:a fastening memberhaving a head and a shank portion, wherein said shank portion isreceivable within first and second bores in the first and secondmembers, respectively; a nut means, positionable distal to a proximalsurface of the second member, for securably engaging said shank portion,said nut means comprising a threaded portion and a nose portion adaptedto extend proximally from said threaded portion into the second bore inthe second member, wherein at least a proximal part of said nose portionhas a smooth inner wall adapted to abuttingly engage a proximal segmentof said shank portion, distal to said head of said fastening member; andwasher means, positionable within one of the first bore and a tubularinsert member positionable within the first bore, for accommodating amisalignment between the first and second bores of the first and secondmembers, respectively, wherein said washer means comprises first andsecond washers each having inner and outer walls, wherein said innerwall of said first washer and said outer wall of said second washer areslidably engagable with said shank portion of said fastening member anda bore wall of said one of the first bore and said tubular insertmember, respectively.
 14. A fastening system for interconnectingproximal and distal members, the proximal and distal members havingfirst and second bores defined by first and second bore walls in theproximal and distal members, respectively, said fastening systemcomprising:a fastening member having a head and a shank portion, whereinsaid shank portion is adapted to be received within the first and secondbores of the proximal and distal members, respectively; a nut member forengaging said shank portion of said fastening member to interconnect theproximal and distal members, said nut member comprising a threadedportion and a nose portion, wherein each of said threaded and noseportions have inner and outer walls, wherein said threaded portion isthreadedly engagable with a distal segment of said shank portion,wherein at least a proximal part of said inner wall of said nose portionis adapted to abuttingly engage a proximal segment of said shank portionand at least a proximal part of said outer wall of said nose portion isadapted to abuttingly engage the second bore wall in the distal memberto at least substantially inhibit at least lateral movement of saidshank portion of said fastening member relative to at least the distalmember.
 15. A fastening system, as claimed in claim 14, wherein saidproximal part of said outer wall of said nose portion is positionablebetween distal and proximal surfaces of one of the distal and proximalmembers.
 16. A fastening system, as claimed in claim 14, wherein saidproximal part of said outer wall of said nose portion is positionablebetween distal and proximal surfaces of the distal member.
 17. Afastening system, as claimed in claim 14, wherein an inner diameter ofsaid proximal part of said nose portion, defined by said inner wall, isless than about 0.002 inches greater than a diameter of said proximalsegment of said shank portion.
 18. A fastening system, as claimed inclaim 14, wherein at least a portion of said proximal part of said outerwall of said nose portion and at least a portion of the proximal segmentof the shank portion are threadless.
 19. A fastening system, as claimedin claim 14, wherein said outer wall of said nose portion comprises aplurality of knurls, wherein at least one of said plurality of knurls ispressable into the second bore wall of the distal member.
 20. Afastening system, as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least said noseportion of said nut member comprises a material selected from the groupconsisting of stainless steel, titanium and beryllium copper.
 21. Afastening system, as claimed in claim 14, wherein a length of saidproximal part of said nose portion is at least about one-half saiddiameter of said shank portion of the fastener.
 22. A fastening system,as claimed in claim 14, wherein said proximal part of at least saidinner wall of said nose portion is sized to have a length less than orequal to a thickness of the distal member, wherein the thickness of thedistal member is defined by proximal and distal surfaces of the distalmember.
 23. A fastening system, as claimed in claim 14, furthercomprising:washer means, engagable with at least one of said shankportion of said fastening member and the first bore wall defined in thefirst bore, for accommodating a misalignment between the first andsecond bores of the proximal and distal members, respectively.
 24. Afastening system for substantially inhibiting tilting of a fasteningmember relative to proximal and distal members, the fastening memberbeing insertable in first and second bores defined by first and secondbore walls in the proximal and distal members, respectively, saidfastening system comprising:a nut member for engaging a shank portion ofthe fastening member to interconnect the proximal and distal members,said nut member comprising a threaded portion and a nose portion,wherein each of said threaded and nose portions have inner and outerwalls, wherein said threaded portion is threadedly engagable with adistal segment of the shank portion, wherein a proximal part of saidnose portion is abuttingly positionable about a proximal segment of theshank portion to pressingly engage the proximal segment of the shankportion; and washer means, engagable with at least one of the shankportion of the fastening member and the first bore wall defined in thefirst bore, for accommodating a misalignment between the first andsecond bores of the proximal and distal members, respectively, whereinsaid washer means comprises proximal and distal washers each havinginner and outer walls, wherein said inner wall of said proximal washeris slidably engagable with said shank portion of said fastening member,proximal to said proximal part, and said outer wall of said distalwasher is slidably engagable with the first bore wall of the proximalmember.